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Australia Bans Mortal Kombat Reboot

The Australian Classification Board has performed its own fatality on NetherRealm's upcoming Mortal Kombat reboot. The fighter famous for its graphic finishing moves has been refused classification in the land down under, effectively banning the game in Australia.

"We are extremely disappointed that Mortal Kombat, one of the world's oldest and most successful video games franchises, will not be available to mature Australian gamers," Warners said in a statement.

Australia's Classification Board acts much like North America's ESRB. However, the Classification Board does not have an adult rating for video games -- like the ESRB's M(17+) or AO (Adults Only) ratings. Therefore, when a game is deemed to contain adult content beyond the board's highest rating of MA(15+), it is Refused Classification and banned.

"Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment would not market mature content where it is not appropriate for the audience," the publisher stated. "We understand that not all content is for every audience, but there is an audience for mature gaming content and it would make more sense to have the R18+ classification in Australia. As a member of the iGEA, WBIE is reviewing all options available at this time."

Australia's Attorney General's department is currently processing public submissions on the introduction of an R18+ classification for video games.

Mortal Kombat is being developed for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game is set to ship on April 19.

Sharkey says: Tough break for Aussie gamers, but based on feedback from last year's public consultation period over introducing R18+, it looks like the rating will be added in the not too distant future. It's just plain nuts that adults in that country can't play an over-the-top video game like Mortal Kombat.